Laundry treating appliance with vent

ABSTRACT

A laundry treating appliance includes a ventilation system for reducing buildup of odor. The ventilation system can be configured to periodically evacuate air from the treating chamber to refresh the air within the treating chamber. Fresh air can be pumped from an entrance in the bottom of the cabinet and can exit an opening in the washing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/616,576, filed Jan. 12, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, refreshers, andnon-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotatingcontainer that at least partially defines a treating chamber in whichlaundry items are placed for treating. The laundry treating appliancecan have a controller that implements a number of user-selectable,pre-programmed cycles of operation. Typically, washing machines caninclude the use of refresh washing cycle for the event that a userleaves a load of laundry in the treating chamber after running a cycleof operation for an extended period of time where a buildup of odoroccurs. Alternatively, a user can run a rinse cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treatingappliance having a ventilation system for reducing buildup of odor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundrytreating appliance in the form of a washing machine according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a controller forcontrolling the operation of one or more components of the laundrytreating appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a laundry treating applianceaccording to aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal axis washer and/or dryer implementingthe concept shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative laundry treating appliances in accordance with the presentdisclosure include a washing machine having a ventilation system forreducing buildup of odor. The ventilation system can be configured toperiodically evacuate air from the treating chamber to refresh the airwithin the treating chamber. Fresh air can be pumped from an entrance inthe bottom of the cabinet and can exit an opening in the lid or the topof the washing machine.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundrytreating appliance shown in the form of a washing machine 10 accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure. While the laundry treatingappliance is illustrated as a vertical axis, top-fill washing machine,the embodiments of the present disclosure can have applicability inother fabric treating appliances, non-limiting examples of which includea combination washing machine and dryer, a refreshing/revitalizingmachine, an extractor, or a non-aqueous washing apparatus.

Washing machines are typically categorized as either a vertical axiswashing machine or a horizontal axis washing machine. As used herein,the “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having arotatable drum, perforate or imperforate, that holds fabric items and aclothes mover, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the likewithin the drum. The clothes mover moves within the drum to impartmechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through washliquid in the drum. The clothes mover may typically be moved in areciprocating rotational movement. In some vertical axis washingmachines, the drum rotates about a vertical axis generally perpendicularto a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotationalaxis need not be vertical. The drum may rotate about an axis inclinedrelative to the vertical axis. As used herein, the “horizontal axis”washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum,perforated or imperforate, that holds fabric items and washes the fabricitems by the fabric items rubbing against one another as the drumrotates. In some horizontal axis washing machines, the drum rotatesabout a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supportsthe washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not behorizontal. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to thehorizontal axis. In horizontal axis washing machines, the clothes arelifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to forma tumbling action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by thetumbling action formed by the repeated lifting and dropping of theclothes. Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are bestdifferentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy tothe fabric articles. The illustrated exemplary washing machine of FIG. 1is a vertical axis washing machine.

The washing machine 10 can include a structural support systemcomprising a cabinet 14 that defines a housing, within which a laundryholding system resides. The cabinet 14 can be a housing having a chassisand/or a frame defining an interior that receives components typicallyfound in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluidlines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such componentswill not be described further herein except as necessary for a completeunderstanding of the present disclosure. The bottom of the cabinet 14can be open or can include openings to allow air (A) to enter the insideof the washing machine 10. The top of the cabinet 14 can include aselectively openable lid 28 to provide access into the laundry treatingchamber 32 through an open top of the basket 30. The lid 28 can includea vent 29 to allow air to exit the laundry treating chamber 32. The vent29 can be in the form of a plurality of small holes. Alternatively, thetop or sides of the cabinet 14 can include a vent 29. In addition, thevent 29 can be configured to be selectively opened and closed duringoperation. In some operating routines, it may be beneficial to close thevent so air flow (or possibly water) does not exit the treating chamber32 and instead is recirculated in the treating chamber 32 duringoperation. In other cases, it is beneficial to keep the vent 29 in anopen position to allow the air in the treating chamber 32 to refresh.

The fabric holding system of the illustrated exemplary washing machine10 can include a rotatable basket 30 having an open top that can bedisposed within the interior of the cabinet 14 and may define a treatingchamber 32 for receiving laundry items for treatment. A tub 34 can alsobe positioned within the cabinet 14 and can define an interior withinwhich the basket 30 can be positioned. The tub 34 can have a generallycylindrical side or tub peripheral wall 12 closed at its bottom end by abase 16 that can at least partially define a sump 60.

The basket 30 can have a generally peripheral side wall 18, which isillustrated as a cylindrical side wall, closed at the basket end by abasket base 20 to at least partially define the treating chamber 32. Thebasket 30 can be rotatably mounted within the tub 34 for rotation abouta vertical basket axis of rotation and can include a plurality ofperforations 31, such that liquid may flow between the tub 34 and therotatable basket 30 through the perforations 31. While the illustratedwashing machine 10 includes both the tub 34 and the basket 30, with thebasket 30 defining the treating chamber 32, it is within the scope ofthe present disclosure for the laundry treating appliance to includeonly one receptacle, with the receptacle defining the laundry treatmentchamber for receiving the load to be treated.

A clothes mover 38 may be rotatably mounted within the basket 30 toimpart mechanical agitation to a load of laundry placed in the basket30. The clothes mover 38 can be oscillated or rotated about its axis ofrotation during a cycle of operation in order to produce load motioneffective to wash the load contained within the treating chamber 32.Other exemplary types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to,an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.

The basket 30 and the clothes mover 38 may be driven by a drive system40 that includes a motor 41, which can include a gear case, operablycoupled with the basket 30 and clothes mover 38. The motor 41 can rotatethe basket 30 at various speeds in either rotational direction about thevertical axis of rotation, including at a spin speed wherein acentrifugal force at the inner surface of the basket side wall 18 is 1 gor greater. Spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquidfrom the laundry items in the basket 30, such as after a wash or rinsestep in a treating cycle of operation. A loss motion device or clutchcan be included in the drive system 40 and can selectively operablycouple the motor 41 with either the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover38.

A suspension system 22 can dynamically hold the tub 34 within thecabinet 14. The suspension system 22 can dissipate a determined degreeof vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 30 and/orthe clothes mover 38 during a treating cycle of operation. Together, thetub 34, the basket 30, and any contents of the basket 30, such as liquidand laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 22.

A liquid supply system can be provided to liquid, such as water or acombination of water and one or more wash aids, such as detergent, intothe treating chamber 32. The liquid supply system can include a watersupply configured to supply hot or cold water. The water supply caninclude a hot water inlet 44 and a cold water inlet 46, a valveassembly, which can include a hot water valve 48, a cold water valve 50,and a diverter valve 55, and various conduits 52, 56, 58. The valves 48,50 are selectively openable to provide water, such as from a householdwater supply (not shown) to the conduit 52. The valves 48, 50 can beopened individually or together to provide a mix of hot and cold waterat a selected temperature. While the valves 48, 50 and conduit 52 areillustrated exteriorly of the cabinet 14, it may be understood thatthese components can be internal to the housing.

As illustrated, a detergent dispenser 54 can be fluidly coupled with theconduit 52 through a diverter valve 55 and a first water conduit 56. Thedetergent dispenser 54 can include means for supplying or mixingdetergent to or with water from the first water conduit 56 and cansupply such treating liquid to the tub 34. It has been contemplated thatwater from the first water conduit 56 can also be supplied to the tub 34through the detergent dispenser 54 without the addition of a detergent.A second water conduit, illustrated as a separate water inlet 58, canalso be fluidly coupled with the conduit 52 through the diverter valve55 such that water can be supplied directly to the treating chamberthrough the open top of the basket 30. Additionally, the liquid supplysystem can differ from the configuration shown, such as by inclusion ofother valves, conduits, wash aid dispensers, heaters, sensors, such aswater level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to controlthe flow of treating liquid through the washing machine 10 and for theintroduction of more than one type of detergent/wash aid.

A liquid recirculation system can be provided for recirculating liquidfrom the tub 34 into the treating chamber 32. More specifically, a sump60 can be located in the bottom of the tub 34 and the liquidrecirculation system can be configured to recirculate treating liquidfrom the sump 60 onto the top of a laundry load located in the treatingchamber 32. A pump 62 can be housed below the tub 34 and can have aninlet fluidly coupled with the sump 60 and an outlet configured tofluidly couple to either or both a household drain 64 or a recirculationconduit 66. In this configuration, the pump 62 can be used to drain orrecirculate wash water in the sump 60. As illustrated, the recirculationconduit 66 can be fluidly coupled with the treating chamber 32 such thatit supplies liquid into the open top of the basket 30. The liquidrecirculation system can include other types of recirculation systems.

It is noted that the illustrated drive system, suspension system, liquidsupply system, and recirculation and drain system are shown forexemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in thedrawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply,recirculation, and pump systems can differ from the configuration shownin FIG. 1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treatingchemistry dispensers, sensors (such as liquid level sensors andtemperature sensors), and the like, to control the flow of liquidthrough the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than onetype of treating chemistry. For example, the liquid supply system can beconfigured to supply liquid into the interior of the tub 34 not occupiedby the basket 30 such that liquid can be supplied directly to the tub 34without having to travel through the basket 30. In another example, theliquid supply system can include a single valve for controlling the flowof water from the household water source. In another example, therecirculation and pump system can include two separate pumps forrecirculation and draining, instead of the single pump as previouslydescribed.

The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a heating system (notshown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 32. In oneexample, the heating system can include a heating element provided inthe sump to heat liquid that collects in the sump. Alternatively, theheating system can be in the form of an in-line heater that heats theliquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/orrecirculation systems.

The washing machine 10 can further include a controller 70 coupled withvarious working components of the washing machine 10 to control theoperation of the working components and to implement one or moretreating cycles of operation. For example, the controller 70 can controlrotation of the basket 30 to run a dry refresh cycle of operation, whichcan be desirable in order to reduce a buildup of odor on a laundry load.In addition, the controller 70 can control opening or closing of thevent 29 to allow airflow to exit the treating chamber 32.

Airflow, represented by arrows A, can enter through an open bottom orthrough one or more openings in the bottom of the cabinet 15 and canflow into the treating chamber 32. When the basket 30 is rotated,airflow A can be mixed with the relatively humid air within the basket,represented by arrows B. Furthermore, the vent 29 in the lid 28 canallow the mixture of airflow A and air B, represented by airflow C, toescape the treating chamber 32 when the vent is in an open position.Thus, the air B in the treating chamber can decrease in humidity as thebasket 30 is rotated.

The control system can further include a user interface 24 that isoperably coupled with the controller 70. The user interface 24 caninclude one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens andthe like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input andprovide output. The user can enter different types of informationincluding, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters,such as cycle options.

The controller 70 can include the machine controller and any additionalcontrollers provided for controlling any of the components of thewashing machine 10. For example, the controller 70 can include themachine controller and a motor controller. Many known types ofcontrollers can be used for the controller 70. It is contemplated thatthe controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implementscontrol software and sends/receives one or more electrical signalsto/from each of the various working components to implement the controlsoftware. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integralcontrol (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combinationthereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID), can be usedto control the various components of the washing machine 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 70 can be provided with amemory 72 and a central processing unit (CPU) 74. The memory 72 can beused for storing the control software that can be executed by the CPU 74in completing a cycle of operation using the washing machine 10 and anyadditional software. Examples, without limitation, of treating cycles ofoperation include: wash, heavy-duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash,pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, timed wash, and dry refresh, which can beselected at the user interface 24. The memory 72 can also be used tostore information, such as a database or table, and to store datareceived from the one or more components of the washing machine 10 thatcan be communicably coupled with the controller 70. The database ortable can be used to store the various operating parameters for the oneor more cycles of operation, including factory default values for theoperating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control systemor by user input.

The controller 70 can be operably coupled with one or more components ofthe washing machine 10 for communicating with and/or controlling theoperation of the components to complete a cycle of operation. Forexample, the controller 70 can be coupled with the hot water valve 48,the cold water valve 50, diverter valve 55, and the detergent dispenser54 for controlling the temperature and flow rate of treating liquid intothe treating chamber 32; the pump 62 for controlling the amount oftreating liquid in the treating chamber 32 or sump 60; drive system 40including a motor 41 for controlling the direction and speed of rotationof the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38; and the user interface 24for receiving user selected inputs and communicating information to theuser. The controller 70 can also receive input from a temperature sensor76, such as a thermistor, which can detect the temperature of thetreating liquid in the treating chamber 32 and/or the temperature of thetreating liquid being supplied to the treating chamber 32. Thecontroller 70 can also receive input from various additional sensors 78,which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limitingexamples of additional sensors 78 that can be communicably coupled withthe controller 70 include: a humidity sensor, a lid position sensor, avent position sensor, a weight sensor, and a motor torque sensor.

The controller 70 can include an algorithm configured to determine whento implement a dry refresh cycle upon receiving input from a sensor, orafter a predetermined time has been reached, and after a cycle ofoperation has been completed and a laundry load remains within thetreating chamber 32. For example, the controller 70 can determine if adry refresh cycle should be implemented, which can include onlyimplementing the dry refresh cycle in the determination that the lid 28has not been opened since the last cycle of operation was completed.Furthermore, once a determination has been made that the lid 28 has beenopened since the last cycle of operation was completed, the controller70 can discontinue determining if a dry refresh cycle should beimplemented.

Receiving input from a sensor can include determining a humidity, forexample the humidity of air B within the basket 30, or a remainingmoisture content (RMC) of a load of laundry. In the event that thehumidity or RMC is determined to be greater than a predeterminedthreshold, the controller 70 can implement a dry refresh cycle.Alternatively, the controller 70 can implement a dry refresh cycle aftera predetermined time has been reached since the last cycle of operationwas completed. A predetermined time can include any form ofpredetermined timing, which can include the occurrence of a single time,or predetermined intervals.

Predetermined intervals can be fixed intervals, or variable intervals.For example, a fixed interval can include implementing a dry refreshcycle every 20 minutes after completion of a cycle of operation. Avariable interval can include predetermined times occurring at a higherfrequency and gradually decreasing the frequency of the predeterminedtimes, such as implementing a dry refresh cycle 20 minutes aftercompletion of a cycle of operation, again 30 minutes later, and again 40minutes later.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail the lid 28 including the vent 29illustrated as a plurality of small holes along an upper to edge 28 a ofthe lid 28. While the vent 29 is shown as a plurality of holes, it isalso possible for the vent 29 to be formed as any other suitableconfiguration for an aperture, such as, but not limited to a slit of anyshape or a single hole. Additionally, the vent 29 can be located at anyother suitable location, such as, but not limited to a side edge of thelid 28 b, a bottom edge of the lid 28 c, or portions of the cabinet 14such as the top of the cabinet 14.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative implementation in the context of ahorizontal axis laundry treating appliance 110, which has many similarparts to the implementation of FIGS. 1 and 3, and uses the samecontroller as in FIG. 2. Therefore, like parts will be identified withlike numerals increased by 100. Only an overview of the horizontal axisimplementation of FIG. 4 is described, with it being understood that allaspects of the description of FIGS. 1-3 are applicable to FIG. 4, withthe only difference being a horizontal axis implementation as comparedto a vertical axis implementation of FIGS. 1 and 3.

The laundry treating appliance 110 has a cabinet 114 with an accessopening selectively closed by a front-opening door 128. A vent 129 islocated in the front-opening door 128, but could be located in the frontof the cabinet, such as above the door 128. Either or both a bottom 115or a rear 117 of the cabinet can be open or at least partially open.

A tub 112 is located within the cabinet 114. A drum 130 is locatedwithin the tub. A motor 141 is mounted to the tub and is operablycoupled to the drum 130, such that rotation of the motor 141 effects arotation of the drum 130.

As with the vertical axis implementation, the horizontal axisimplementation of FIG. 4 can be carried out by the controller 70determining that a humidity level is such that the vent 129 is openedand the drum 130 is rotated to draw air in through either or both theopen bottom 115 or open rear 117, into the rotating drum 130, and outthrough the vent 129. The manner in which the controller 70 determineswhen to effect the rotation of the drum is that same as previouslydescribed.

For purposes of the description, it should be noted that the basket 30and drum 130 are functionally the same element in the differentimplementations. Unless expressly noted otherwise, the use of one term,basket or drum, means both. Similarly, the terms lid 28 and door 128 arefunctionally the same element in the different implementations, and,unless expressly noted otherwise, the use of one term, lid or door,means both.

It should further be noted that the implementation of the ventilatingcan be enabled with a remote device, such as a cellular phone or tablet,especially when the appliance is wirelessly-enabled, such as cellular,Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

The aspects of the disclosure described herein can be used to ventilatea washing machine for reducing buildup of odor such that a user does notneed to run a refresh washing cycle or similar upon leaving a laundryload in the washing machine for extended periods of time. Theventilation system can reduce humidity within the treating chamber toprevent the formation of odor and can also accelerate the drying time ofthe load.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination witheach other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all ofthe embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but isdone for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of thedifferent embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form newembodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.All combinations or permutations of features described herein arecovered by this disclosure.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variationand modification are possible within the scope of the forgoingdisclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundry treating appliance comprising: acabinet defining an interior with an access opening and at least apartially open bottom; a lid selectively closing the access opening; arotatable basket located within the cabinet interior and defining atreating chamber; a motor rotationally driving the basket; a selectivelyactuatable vent located in at least one of the cabinet or the lid at alocation above the at least partially open bottom; a moisture sensorproviding a sensor output indicative of an amount of humidity in thetreating chamber; and a controller operably coupled to the vent, motor,and sensor and configured to open the vent and energize the motor torotate the basket in response to the amount of humidity indicated by themoisture sensor output to draw air into the at least partially openbottom, through the treating chamber, and out the vent.
 2. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 wherein the access opening is opposite thepartially open bottom.
 3. The laundry treating appliance of claim 2wherein the basket rotates about a vertical axis.
 4. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 3 wherein the vent is located in the lid. 5.The laundry treating appliance of claim 4 further comprising a lidstatus sensor providing a lid status signal indicative of the open/closestatus of the lid to the controller.
 6. The laundry treating applianceof claim 5 wherein the moisture sensor is a timer and the controller isconfigured to open the vent and energize the motor after the passing ofa predetermined time, as indicated by the timer, after the closing ofthe door, as indicated by the lid status signal.
 7. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 4 wherein the sensor comprises a humidity sensorproviding a humidity output signal and the controller is configured toopen the vent and energize the motor in response to the humidity outputsignal.
 8. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the vent islocated on the lid.
 9. A laundry treating appliance comprising: acabinet defining an interior with an access opening; a closureselectively closing the access opening; a rotatable basket locatedwithin the cabinet interior and defining a treating chamber; a motorrotationally driving the basket; a vent located in at least one of thecabinet or the closure at a location above the at least partially openbottom; a moisture sensor providing a sensor output indicative of anamount of humidity in the treating chamber; and a controller operablycoupled to the motor and sensor and configured to energize the motor torotate the basket in response to the amount of humidity indicated by themoisture sensor output to draw air into the at least partially openbottom, through the treating chamber, and out the vent.
 10. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 wherein the vent is selectively actuatableby the controller to open/close the vent.
 11. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 1 wherein the basket is rotatable about at least oneof a generally horizontal or generally vertical axis.
 12. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 wherein the access opening is opposite thepartially open bottom.
 13. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1wherein the vent is located in the lid.
 14. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 1 further comprising a lid status sensor providing alid status signal indicative of the open/close status of the lid to thecontroller.
 15. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein themoisture sensor is at least one of a timer or a humidity sensor.
 16. Amethod of controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliancehaving a cabinet with an access opening selectively closed by a lid anda rotatable basket defining a treating chamber located within thecabinet, the method comprising: upon the determination of apredetermined degree of humidity within the treating chamber, after thecompletion of a cycle of operation by the laundry treating appliance,rotating the rotatable basket to effect a drawing of air into an openbottom of the cabinet, through the treating chamber, and out a ventlocated in at least one of the cabinet an lid.
 17. The method of claim16 wherein the determination of the predetermined degree of humidity isa predetermined time after the cycle of operation is completed.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the predetermined time after the cycle ofoperation is completed further comprises a predetermined time since thelid was opened.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the determination ofthe predetermined degree of humidity comprises sensing a humidity levelwithin the treating chamber.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein thedetermination of the predetermined degree of humidity comprises sensinga moisture content of laundry within the chamber.